I always like to see Minnesota in the news for broadband related activity. Today’s news is a little different and the funny thing is that the news comes to me direct from the Sarasota Herald (FLA). Apparently Lily the bear’s sister will be giving birth while the world (with broadband) watches.

Lily was the Black Bear that gave birth in Ely, Minnesota last year. This year her sister is stepping in…

Three-year-old Jewel is the younger sister of Lily, who gave birth in January 2010 to Hope. The birth and early days were followed by millions of viewers over the Internet. A hunter killed Hope last year and biologists say it was a blow to their research.

This is the third year the institute and the North American Bear Center are broadcasting from dens in northeastern Minnesota.

I think it has been a huge opportunity for the Wildlife Research Institute to raise both awareness and funds. They are apparently expecting her to give birth any day now. I checked it out and it is kind of amazing how much they are learning through the webcams.